I am FINALLY getting FMP Advanced!!

I am so happy! I got the message that the powers that they will be upgrading my license to FMPA!!!! It was only a matter of time!

I can't wait to get my fingers on it!

Huge thank you to all those who helped me "sell" it to them and gave me great analogies... as well as figuring out how to help me work around not having it and put up with answering "If you had FMPA it wouldn't be a problem."

If I could send homemade treats through the computer you all would be getting some warm chocolate chip cookies or Better Than Pecan Pie Bars!!

I was reminded the other day that my old office missed me... *especially* my contributions to the break room. I'm sure people lost at least 10 lbs with me leaving.

Thanks for the link. I read the intro and will add it to my reading list. I'm up to my eyeballs in non FMP work (well I'm using it, just not creating it) and need to knock that out- but you can sure bet that I will dive into it!

The file format is the same so as long as you are careful not to add a feature newer than their version, you can work with any file from FileMaker 12 to your version of Advanced. If you aren't sure about a given script step, function, etc, you can look them up in Help and there's an entry identifying which version introduced the feature that you have looked up.

Hmmm, but I forgot that there could be theme issues in some cases as not all versions have the same themes and some themes may have been updated.

In any case, it's a good idea to keep an older copy of FileMaker on your machine that matches theirs and use it to open and review your file from time to time to make sure that you haven't introduced a problem.

Both 14 and 16 use the same file format, that is .fmp12. If you do not incorporate new things from 16 then others with 14 will be fine. If you do use new things from 16, these won’t work in 14.

It would be better if everybody is on the same version.

One important thing: version 17 should be released by the end of May if FMI is on the same schedule as before. When 17 will be released, you won’t be able to buy 16 unless you find a distributor with stock.

That's a possibility. So, long story short... the company I consult for is getting me the FMPA, and they are currently running FMP14-- so I am not sure if that will be an issue. I have the person in charge of purchasing FMPA 16 checking if since 17 is so close, and if it's the same price we can just rollover to 17 when it's released. I know a few other software companies who have upgraded me within about 60 days of purchase from an older version. Waiting is an option if it is compatible with 14 (I know besides the new features) and they won't upgrade.

Also, on another tread, I'm about to pull the trigger on DevCon 2018, and I found out that FMPA 17 is included with registration. So I will personally have 17 come August. It seems like a weird set up but the company I consult supplies all my hardware and software. I don't consult regarding FMP, but FMP is the tool they use to manage their DB and I pretty much just develop it on an as needed basis, and have outgrown FMP.

On the flip side, that new release of FMP 17 might have bugs that cause issues for you until an update is released. This was the case for FMP 16 with some users experiencing major issues until an update corrected the bug. Might be different this time, but such is the risk of being an "early adopter". This goes for your hosted solution as well. It's generally not a good idea to upgrade as soon as the new release comes out.

I do not represent FileMaker Inc and cannot make any guarantees, but FileMaker also usually has some sort of update window that lets people upgrade less expensively and if you purchased pretty close to the release of the new version--in past cases, I believe that some got it free, but no guarantees. Plus, your employer's license may entitle them to a free upgrade anyway.

To add to what philmodjunk said, it would be a good idea to call FileMaker and talk to one of their sales team members. They should be able to let you know what the window is if you just purchased 16 when 17 is released.

Yes, jormond is making a good suggestion. For one of my clients we got a "downgrade" install of 15 included at no extra cost after I asked for it citing concern over a bug not yet corrected via updates. By the time we were ready to go live, an update fixed the problem, but since I asked and got the downgrade install, we had the option to revert to 15 if we felt it necessary.

So it's always good to ask for extras. The worst that they can do is say no.

... call FileMaker and talk to one of their sales team members. They should be able to let you know what the window is if you just purchased 16 when 17 is released.

As in the past, FileMaker runs a promotion for customers who bought the prior version just before the next version's release. See the "FileMaker 17 New Release Special Offer" (NRSO) on the Promotions page. It says:

"Customers who purchased and registered FileMaker Pro 16 or FileMaker Pro 16 Advanced between April 15, 2018 and May 30, 2018 are eligible to receive FileMaker Pro 17 Advanced upgrade version as an electronic software download at no charge!"

Be sure the read the fine print at the bottom of the NRSO. And it might be worth bookmarking this Promos page!

One note: if everyone uses 14 and you use 17 rather than 14 advanced, beware of using scripts and features that 14 doesn't support. It's embarassing to spend hours, days or weeks and find that all the cool stuff doesnt work in older versions.